Category Archive

Let’s have no more ‘nearly’ this year. Take a systematic approach to prospecting: a relevant target list, a solution to the client’s needs and a persistent approach. Because, ‘almost, but not quite’, is no way to run a business or to live life.

This is me holding the very first copy of my first book. What the picture can’t communicate is the overwhelming sense of relief I was feeling, the rush of euphoria that had just hit me, and the complete and utter joy in my heart. On September the 20th Superfast: Lead at Speed was published in the UK by John …

Pitching is fast, frenetic and unforgiving. It’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s also exciting, adrenaline-pumping, physically and intellectually demanding. It is not open to reason. You’re either up for it or out of it. Win a new client as a result of a pitch and the crowd goes wild. Out comes the Champagne, bells are rung (literally in some …

I’ve seen the future… and it’s beautiful. Lisbon is also beautiful. This gloriously creative and friendly city hosted The House of Beautiful Business alongside Web Summit, the world’s largest tech conference dubbed ‘Davos for Geeks’ by Bloomberg. The House of Beautiful Business is a pop-up community for meaningful conversations about technology and humanity in collaboration with BCG Henderson Institute and …

You have been asked to head an international team from your company – spanning five regional offices – to pitch for a massive multi-cultural account worth millions. Do you react: HOORAY!!! Your first reaction could well be unfettered enthusiasm for the task ahead. But most people’s experience of working with their colleagues from overseas – many of whom they …

Marketing agencies frequently talk about building stronger relationships with their clients and becoming their trusted advisors. What’s not always apparent to them, however, is that a focus on emotional intelligence is usually necessary in achieving this. It was Winston Churchill who said, “If you mean to profit, learn to please”, and this holds important lessons for agencies. It doesn’t …

Anyone who lives with teenagers may be familiar with the following scenario. The family is – for once – gathered together around the dinner table. You’re all in one place: a captive audience. It dawns on you that this could be the optimum time to impart some of the hard-earned wisdom gained over the course of your career. It’s …

This has been a year of a surprises. I landed in the States two days after the US Election. This meant meetings were with stunned-looking Californians who were in a state of disbelief. A Silicon Valley friend put it simply ‘It’s not just technology that disrupts and surprises in this world at the moment – it’s everything.’ The one …

Did that get your attention? The internet is littered with ‘clickbait’ – headlines designed to entice you further and further down the rabbit hole of information you might find useful but probably won’t. Whether it’s ‘The five things you MUST do to get promoted‘ or, more likely ‘People can’t get enough of these pictures of really hot firefighters‘ ™Buzzfeed, (perhaps …

This blog has a mighty ambition: to create peace, happiness and goodwill to all humankind on Earth. Is it a secret recipe for inner personal calm and a stress-free life? Sort of – but in case you think we have gone dippy hippy and you are about to stop reading, give us another minute. This is a blog to …